Himachal Govt will mull over having resident engineer for all major complexes: CM

The Himachal government would contemplate having a resident engineer for all the major complexes of the state for maintenance of buildings and other infrastructure most likely through outsourcing basis, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on September 19.

He was speaking after launching the Facebook and Twitter for Quality Control Cell of the Chief Minister’s Office. The Quality Control Team also made major recommendations for ensuring proper construction of various developmental projects in the State.

The Chief Minister said that “Land use plan and master plan needed to be prepared for construction of all the major projects.” He said appropriate arrangements should be made for stormwater drains, cables, piping because lack of these leads to sub-soil moisture, frequent disruption and haphazard construction etc.

He said that proper stabilization of roads must be ensured as improper sub-soil stabilization leads to oozing of water and damage to the roads and lack of slope stabilization also lead to frequent landslides resulting in erosion of blacktop. Thus effective steps should be taken for construction and maintenance of proper cross drainage and side drainage, he added.

Thakur said that during metalling of roads, “Best quality of aggregate and sand should be used and quality of bitumen must also be ensured.” The bridges should be constructed with reference to hydrology and road test of bridges should be done by the constructors before handing over the same to the government. He said that instruments must be installed on bridges for quality check and risk assessment of bridges.

He said that the master plan must be developed for all four major river basins viz. “Satluj basin, Beas basin, Ravi basin and Yamuna basin etc”, for taking care of all the four components including irrigation, flood control, drinking water and sanitation.

Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Kundu made a presentation on the visit carried out by the Quality Control Team of the Chief Minister’s Office to Bilaspur, Mandi, Kangra and Hamirpur districts. He said it was found during the visit to these districts that quite few construction projects were being constructed without the development of project area. Moreover, it was also found that parking in the government buildings was not adequately planned to meet future requirements. He said that it was felt that lack of camber on roads leads to water congestion which was ultimately damaging the roads.